AAN Virus Ransomware
The AAN stands for a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Matrix ransomware family. AAN was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. AAN adds the “.ANN” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by AAN, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.ANN“. As soon as the encryption is completed, AAN places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by AAN text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Matrix clan. It literally mentions that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by AAN is still not properly examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely distinct. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.
Another trick of AAN is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is kept on a specific server run by the frauds related to AAN ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.
AAN encrypted your documents, but that might not be the only damage done to you. The ransomware might still be hidingon your computer. To identify whether this holds true, we suggest downloading GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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Nonetheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people must stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom normally does not provide any positive result and people just waste their money for nothing.
We highly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and certainly do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack AAN ransomware and to recover the information data free of charge. Hence, the only right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | AAN Ransomware |
| File Extension | .ANN |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | Matrix |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files. |
| Symptoms | File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special ANN extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Similar Infections | Ab89, Aw46, Mh24 |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Remember that the internet is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to AAN ransomware. It is similar Ab89 and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt essential data and to state the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to generate the distinct decryption key for information decryption.
Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is just not feasible. The only way to avoid the loss of your essential files is to routinely create backups of your important information.
Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they need to be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Memory Stick or external hard disk for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted together with other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage location.
How did ransomware infect my PC?
There are numerous methods used by online scams to distribute AAN ransomware. Despite the fact that it doubts how exactly AAN injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party apps, especially freeware;
- spam emails from unidentified senders;
- sites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Frequently AAN ransomware might exist as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some important software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing AAN infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.
Additionally, the criminals might describe numerous email spam methods to inject harmful codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some receipts, documents, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in AAN virus injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain destructive codes leading to AAN secret installation. Lastly, injection of AAN may happen by means of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and install malicious tools without the user’s approval.
Is there any method to avoid the injection of AAN ransomware?
Although there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your computer from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we wish to show with you. To start with, be extremely careful when you surf the web and specifically while downloading free apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.
Keep in mind that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be malicious. Ensure that your current anti-virus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.
Naturally, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may lead to vital damage to be made for your system. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise highly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially switch to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your PC.
Below please find the quotation from the AAN text file:
HOW TO RECOVER YOUR FILES INSTRUCTION ATENTION!!! We are realy sorry to inform you that ALL YOUR FILES WERE ENCRYPTED by our automatic software. It became possible because of bad server security. ATENTION!!! Please don\'t worry, we can help you to RESTORE your server to original state and decrypt all your files quickly and safely! INFORMATION!!! Files are not broken!!! Files were encrypted with AES-128+RSA-2048 crypto algorithms. There is no way to decrypt your files without unique decryption key and special software. Your unique decryption key is securely stored on our server. For our safety, all information about your server and your decryption key will be automaticaly DELETED AFTER 7 DAYS! You will irrevocably lose all your data! * Please note that all the attempts to recover your files by yourself or using third party tools will result only in irrevocable loss of your data! * Please note that you can recover files only with your unique decryption key, which stored on our side. If you will use the help of third parties, you will only add a middleman. HOW TO RECOVER FILES??? Please write us to the e-mail (write on English or use professional translator): AskHelp@protonmail.com AskHelp@tutanota.com AskHelp@india.com You have to send your message on each of our 3 emails due to the fact that the message may not reach their intended recipient for a variety of reasons! In subject line write your personal ID: 2DA52A597276FC47 We recommed you to attach 3 encrypted files to your message. We will demonstrate that we can recover your files. * Please note that files must not contain any valuable information and their total size must be less than 5Mb. OUR ADVICE!!! Please be sure that we will find common languge. We will restore all the data and give you recommedations how to configure the protection of your server. We will definitely reach an agreement ;) !!! ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION If yоu did nоt rеcеivе thе аnswеr frоm thе аfоrеcitеd еmаils fоr mоrе then 24 hours please sеnd us Bitmеssаgеs frоm а wеb brоwsеr thrоugh thе wеbpаgе hxxps://bitmsg.me. Bеlоw is а tutоriаl оn hоw tо sеnd bitmеssаgе viа wеb brоwsеr: 1. Оpеn in yоur brоwsеr thе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_up аnd mаkе thе rеgistrаtiоn bу еntеring nаmе еmаil аnd pаsswоrd. 2. Уоu must cоnfirm thе rеgistrаtiоn, rеturn tо уоur еmаil аnd fоllоw thе instructiоns thаt wеrе sеnt tо уоu. 3. Rеturn tо sitе аnd сlick \"Lоgin\" lаbеl оr usе link hxxps://bitmsg.me/users/sign_in, еntеr уоur еmаil аnd pаsswоrd аnd click thе \"Sign in\" buttоn. 4. Сlick thе \"Сrеаtе Rаndоm аddrеss\" buttоn. 5. Сlick thе \"Nеw mаssаgе\" buttоn. 6. Sеnding mеssаgе: Tо: Еntеr аddrеss: BM-2cUPmiEDYswzWC3ZmbtybDJeUNHqSpERL1 Subjесt: Еntеr уоur ID: - Mеssаgе: Dеscribе whаt уоu think nеcеssаrу. Сlick thе \"Sеnd mеssаgе\" buttоn. cHaYbikO
Screenshot of files with “.ANN” extension added by the ransomware:
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove AAN ransomware from your computer
1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
2. Double-click on the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.
4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
5. Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
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